Sen. Lankford to hold significant committee assignments

Sen. James Lankford

Washington, DC—Representative James Lankford (R-Okla.) today announced his appointment to four Committees for the upcoming 114th Congress in the U.S. Senate: the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Select Committee on Intelligence, and the Committee on Indian Affairs.

"I am honored to bring our Oklahoma values of common sense, integrity and hard work to these important Senate Committees," said Lankford. "These key assignments will enable me to promote conservative values within our long-lost appropriations process, encourage efficiency throughout the federal government, and relentlessly demand transparency on behalf of hard-working American taxpayers. The U.S. Senate needs to maintain an Oklahoma perspective on national security, intelligence and counter-terrorism strategies, as well as Native American affairs."

The Senate Committee on Appropriations is the largest committee in the Senate, and is widely considered one of the most powerful Committees in Congress. The Committee produces legislation that allocates funds for the federal government on an annual basis and uses the power of the purse to conduct regular oversight through the funding process. The last Oklahoman to serve on on Appropriations was Senator Don Nickles, from the 100th through the 103rd Congress (1987-1995).

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs maintains broad jurisdiction over the operations of the federal government, as well as specific oversight responsibility over the Department of Homeland Security. A recognized leader of congressional oversight, Lankford has served on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee throughout his four years in the U.S. House of Representatives. During the 112th Congress, he served as Chairman of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and Procurement Reform, and Lankford currently serves as Chairman of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Health Care, and Entitlements. Retiring Oklahoma Senator Dr. Tom Coburn currently serves as the most senior Republican on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence provides legislation to authorize, fund, and oversee all American intelligence-gathering operations. The Committee produces legislation that authorizes funding for the intelligence agencies and provides numerous legal authorities and requirements.

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs has jurisdiction to study the challenges of American Indian, Native Hawaiian, and Alaska Native communities.

On Tuesday, January 6th, Lankford will be sworn in as the 18th U.S. Senator from the State of Oklahoma.